The night of October 19, 2021, was supposed to be a milestone in Danny Santulli’s college experience. As a freshman at the University of Missouri, Danny had recently joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, a decision that would soon lead to devastating consequences. The night marked the fraternity’s “pledge dad reveal,” a tradition where new pledges are introduced to their mentors, or “pledge dads.” But this tradition would soon take a horrifying turn.
During the event, Danny, along with other pledges, was led shirtless and blindfolded down a set of stairs, signaling the beginning of the hazing ritual. As part of the tradition, Danny was handed a bottle of vodka, which was taped to his hands, and was instructed to finish it before the night was over. According to court documents, Danny also consumed beer in addition to the vodka.
As the night wore on, Danny became visibly intoxicated. Around 10 PM, he was seen carrying the bottle of vodka, struggling to maintain his balance. By 11 PM, the effects of the alcohol were taking a severe toll on him. Footage from the fraternity house’s security cameras shows Danny losing his balance and collapsing. He was then carried by other fraternity members to a nearby sofa, where he remained for over an hour, unconscious and deteriorating.
The security footage from that night is chilling. At 12:30 AM, Danny’s limp body fell head-first off the sofa, yet it took fraternity members 15 minutes to lift him back up and check for a pulse. Instead of seeking immediate medical help, the members attempted to carry him out of the house, but in a tragic turn, they dropped him on his head on the tile floor before finally placing him in a car.
As Danny was being transported to the hospital, his condition rapidly worsened. He was found not to be breathing and in cardiac arrest, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.486%—a staggering six times the legal limit for driving. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a BAC over 0.30% is considered life-threatening, and over 0.40% is potentially fatal.
Danny spent six weeks in the intensive care unit at the University of Missouri Hospital before being moved to a rehab hospital in Colorado. The injuries he sustained from that night were catastrophic. He is now blind, paralyzed, and unable to speak, requiring lifelong care. According to his family’s attorney, Danny’s injuries are considered “the worst fraternity hazing injury ever in the United States.”
Court documents later revealed that Ryan Delanty, Danny’s “pledge dad” responsible for him that night, sent a chilling text message to a friend after Danny collapsed, stating, “My son is dead.” This message underscores the gravity of the situation and the reckless disregard for life that characterized the fraternity’s actions that night.
Danny’s parents, Tom and Mary Pat Santulli, are now on a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of fraternity hazing and to hold those responsible accountable. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Tom Santulli expressed his determination to see the security footage of what happened to his son. “Yes, I want to see what happened to my son,” he said. “I do want to see the abuse. I want to see exactly what happened.”
Tom believes that Danny survived the devastating brain damage for a reason—so that his story could serve as a powerful warning to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy. “I think Danny’s alive… because other kids were not as fortunate when there was a hazing incident. He’s alive for a reason,” he explained.
In May, Ryan Delanty pleaded guilty to reduced misdemeanor charges of hazing and supplying alcohol to a minor. He was sentenced to six months in jail, followed by six months of house arrest. However, the legal battles didn’t end there. The Santulli family filed a civil lawsuit against the fraternity and 23 of its members, ultimately settling out of court for an undisclosed amount.
David Bianchi, the Santullis’ attorney who specializes in hazing litigation, emphasized that Danny’s case is not an isolated incident. “These are part of a pattern of unsafe and dangerous behavior that represents the traditions of the fraternity,” Bianchi said.
Phi Gamma Delta, also known as Fiji, has faced multiple violations in recent years. Since 2017, the fraternity has had six documented violations of alcohol distribution policies and two hazing violations in Missouri, according to university records. Following Danny’s hospitalization, the Missouri chapter of Phi Gamma Delta was shut down, but the damage had already been done.
The public outcry following Danny’s case has been significant, with many calling for harsher penalties and stricter regulations on fraternities to prevent similar tragedies. Rob Caudill, Executive Director of Phi Gamma Delta, issued a statement expressing the fraternity’s remorse: “Danny should not have been put in such a situation. The International Fraternity prohibits hazing and the provision of alcohol to minors and expects all members to follow the law and our policies.”
Danny’s story is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of hazing rituals. While some may view these traditions as harmless rites of passage, the reality is that they can lead to irreversible damage, both physically and emotionally. The culture of hazing not only endangers lives but also perpetuates a toxic environment that prioritizes conformity and peer pressure over individual well-being.
As more stories like Danny’s come to light, there is a growing movement to reform or even abolish Greek life on college campuses. Universities are being urged to take a stronger stance against hazing, with many implementing zero-tolerance policies and stricter oversight of fraternities and sororities. However, lasting change will require a cultural shift within these organizations, where the value of human life is placed above all else.
The heartbreaking final moments of Danny Santulli’s life before he suffered a life-changing injury are a testament to the dangers of hazing and the urgent need for reform. While Danny’s family continues to fight for justice and raise awareness, his story serves as a powerful reminder that hazing has no place in our society. The pain and suffering endured by Danny and his loved ones are a stark warning to all—hazing must end before another life is lost.
